AuthorTopic: FocusTune AF Micro Adjust software (Read 16963 times)

I've now tried it with one lens - but not withthe exact method Tapes recommends: no dark background, didn't check to see if JPEG sharpening and all other settings except "high contrast were zeroed out and did not defocus slightly between shots. The results were better and far faster than doing it by eye but still needed some very slight hand tuning. The software recommended +11, but real world shots look better at +8). I used my Lens Align Mark II target.

I just did a quick shot at each AF micro-adjust setting and not a more complex set of tests that are needed for the other features in in the software.

No problems downloading but had to let OS X 10.8.2 security system (sandbox?) know that it was okay to run the software even though it was not an Apple approved app or from an approved developer. Once installed there were no problems with FocalTune on an i5 iMac running Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8.2) Camera: EOS 1D X and 135mm f/2.

I've nopw tried it with one lens - but not withthe exact method Tapes recommends: no dark background, didn't check to see if JPEG sharpening and all other settings except "high contrast were zeroed out and did not defocus slightly between shots. The results were better and far faster than doing it by eye but still needed some very slight hand tuning. The software recommended +11, but real world shots look better at +8). I used my Lens Align Mark II target.

I just did a quick shot at each AF micro-adjust setting and not a more complex set of tests that are needed for the other features in in the software.

No problems downloading but had to let OS X 10.8.2 security system (sandbox?) know that it was okay to run the software even though it was not an Apple approved app or from an approved developer. Once installed there were no problems with FocalTune on an i5 iMac running Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8.2) Camera: EOS 1D X and 135mm f/2.

I tested with a couple of lenses on my 1Ds3. I had no dark background but defocused the lens between each shot. For those two lenses, I came to the same settings I got while using LensAlign. I must say that using FocusTune was much faster and more convenient than LensAlign.

thanks Ellis, sounds worthwhile. a whole lot of images, but given the inacurracies of AF for many (most?) lenses and many cameras (Roger's lensrentals.com AF test is very interesting and consistent with what i have seen but not understood) this is probably a minimal sample to get results more useful than just doing it by eye.

it's still important for the user to decide which aperture should be optimized for lenses with significant focus shift like the Canon 50 1.2 and 1.4 - and then realize that the same focus uncertainty applies with AF in any image (probably only noticeable at larger apertures).

i have a theory that hand held, AI servo and multiple images should be shot with Canon cameras for highest probability of at least one critically sharp image (hoping there will be re-focus from image to image). haven't yet figured out an efficient test to verify this

of course, if you're using a tripod for still subjects, forget the whole thing and use liveview and CD AF, or even better magnify and focus by eye

Unfortunately, Canon and Nikon have a fair amount of catch-up to do on lens servo tolerances (and probably design) before PD AF matches the capabilities of the latest high resolution cameras

Thanks, Ellis, for the links to info on FocusTune and the summary of Michael Tapes' instructions. For me, the problem will be deciding the most useful focusing distances, especially for my longer zooms. I use a Canon 100-400mm, and my shooting at both ends of the zoom vary from 6-10 feet as well as 50 feet to infinity.

I also use a 100mm macro, most often for macro shots, but sometimes as a mild telephoto. I suppose setting it for macro would really throw it off for greater distances.